Boat-propeller



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. HERMANS.

. BOAT PROPELLBR.

No. 435,583. Patented Sept. 2, 1890;

gnou/vbo@ .@I. Y l! W We wim/@awo W (No Model.)` 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. HERMANS. BDAT PMPLLLBR.l

No. 435,583. Patented Sept. 2, 1890.

UNTTED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

JOHN HERMANS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BOAT-PROPELLER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 435,583, dated September 2, 1890.

Application tiled May 20, 1890. Serial No. 352,434. (No model.)

T0 all whom, t may con/cern.'

3e it known that I, JOHN HERMANS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented cert-ain new and useful Improvements in Boat-Propellers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description oi' the invcntion,'such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention consists in a new and in1- proved apparatus or attach ment for rowboats which can be secured in position in a few moments to any row-boat, and in which the paddle-wheels can be easily raised and lowered to suit the depth of water; and my invention will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective rear view of my new and improved propelling apparatus. Fig. 2 is a side view taken from the inner side of one et the paddle-wheels. Fig. 3 is a top plan view ot' the parts shown in Fig. 2, and Fig. et is a rear elevation of one ot' the paddlewheels and its adjacent parts.

rlhe same numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Referring tothe several parts by their desi gnating-numerals, l indicates the main crankshaft of my propelling apparatus, which may be arranged to be worked either by foot or by hand power.

In securing my device in position I secure at each side of a boat upon the gunwalc 2 thereof two parallel rectangular frames or brackets 3, which are preferably formed each of asingle ilat metal piece bent as shown and having its upper ends connected by a threaded bolt 4, passing through a sleeve 5, and having a nut screwed upon its end. These frames 3 are secured upon the gunwale of a boat by bolts 6. rilhe vertical parallel sides of each frame 3 are formed with the series of opposite holes 7. Through each pair ot frames 3 pass the ends of a supporting-bar S, as shown, this bar being preferably formed of wood. Upon each bar S is bolted a bearing-plate 9, this plate crossing the bar at right angles and having upon each ot its ends a bearing l0. The bearingplates extend inward, as shown, and are firmly held by the upper and lower braces il 9a, having their outer ends bolted to the bearing-platcs and the inner ends bolted to the bars 8 8. The drive-shaft l is mounted,

supported, and turns in these bearings 10 10 on the bearing-plate, aud upon its ends are secured the paddle-wheels. The ends of the supporting-bars S are adjustably supported in the frames 3 between transverse bolts 17 17, which pass through the openings 7 in the sides of the frames, and it will be seen that the paddlewheels, together with the entire drive-shat` t and supporting -bars and the bearing-plates 9 9, can be readily raised and lowered to suit shallow water and different depths ot water by removing the supportingbolts 17, raising or lowering the cross-bars or supporting-bars S, as desired, and rciuserting the bolts through thcappropriate holes 7.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction, operation, and advantages of my new and improved propelling apparatus will be readily understood. It will be seen that my propelling apparatus is simple, light, and strong in construction, it is very etlicient in operation and will propel a boat rapidly, and the entire apparatus can be easily and readily raised and lowered to suit different depths of water and to raise the wheels when the boat is going through shallow water where the bottom is covered with weeds and grass.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desi re to secure byLctters Patent,

l. The combination of the frames 3, formed with the parallel side pieces provided with the series of side apertures 7, the transverse removable bolts 17, the adjustable supporting-bars S, the ends of which fit., movably, between the parallel side piece of the frames 8, and a crank-shaft mounted on the said bars and having end paddle-wheels, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination ot the frames 3, formed with the series ot side apertures 7, the transverse removable bolts 17, the adjustable supporting-bars S, the bearing-plates El, secured upon the bars and having t-he end bea-rings l0, the braces 9, and the drive-shaft mounted in the end bearings lO and having paddlewheels at its ends, substantially as set l'orth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOIIN HERMANS.

XVitnesses:

JAMES IIrGGINs, THOMAS BOLAND.

IOO 

